Dental Emergency or ER? Where Should You Go?
Written/reviewed by Arezoo Sotoodeh, DMD
When you’re in pain, the closest door often feels like the right one. But for most tooth problems, the emergency room isn’t set up to fix the actual issue. Knowing where to go can save you time, money and a second visit.
Go to the ER (or Call 911) If You Have:
- Swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, or spreads to your eye or neck.
- A high fever with facial swelling.
- A possible broken jaw or serious facial injury.
- A head injury, loss of consciousness or confusion after an accident.
- Bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure.
These are medical emergencies. Get care right away.
Call Your Dentist First For:
- Toothaches, even severe ones.
- A swollen gum or mild facial swelling without breathing or swallowing problems.
- A chipped, cracked or broken tooth.
- A lost crown or filling.
- A knocked-out tooth (call immediately, because time matters).
- A broken denture or partial.
- Pain or swelling around a wisdom tooth.
Why the ER Usually Can't Fix a Tooth
Most hospital emergency rooms don’t have a dentist on staff or dental equipment. They can manage pain and prescribe antibiotics, but they typically can’t drain a tooth abscess, do a root canal, place a crown or extract a tooth. That usually means you’ll still need to see a dentist afterward, and you’ll pay for two visits.
An emergency dentist can find the cause with X-rays and, in many cases, start or complete treatment the same day.
What About Nights and Weekends?
If something happens after hours, call our office at (303) 973-5859 and leave a message. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible. For anything on the ER list above, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
When in Doubt, Call
If you’re not sure whether your situation is an emergency, call us. We’ll ask a few quick questions and tell you whether to come in, wait or head to the hospital.
Southwest Family Dentistry 9200 W Cross Drive, Suite 300, Littleton, CO 80123
Call (303) 973-5859 or book online. New patients are welcome for emergency visits.
Frequently asked questions
Usually no. A dentist can find and treat the cause. Go to the ER only if you have swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, spreading swelling, a high fever or a serious injury.
Urgent care can help with pain and may prescribe antibiotics, but most clinics can't do dental procedures. You'll still need a dentist to fix the tooth.
Severe pain, swelling, a knocked-out or broken tooth, a lost crown or filling, or bleeding that won't stop are all reasons to call a dentist right away.
Yes. Southwest Family Dentistry welcomes new patients for emergency visits.
Call our office and leave a message; we'll respond as soon as possible. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, spreading swelling or a serious injury, go to the ER or call 911.
Whatever Cleaning You Need, We’ve Got You
Anxious about a deep cleaning? Our No-Judgment Guarantee means gentle numbing, a clear explanation of every step, and zero lectures about how you got here.
Worried about cost without insurance? Our In-Office Dental Plan gives uninsured patients an affordable path to the periodontal care they need.
Ready to protect your smile? Schedule online or call our Littleton, CO office today.
Sources – Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 20). Bleeding gums: Causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. clevelandclinic.org
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 20). Gingivitis: Symptoms & how to treat it. Cleveland Clinic. clevelandclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 24). Gingivitis – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 24). Periodontitis – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
